Social Worker

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we’ve worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

1. Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
2. Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and
3. Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond.

Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide.
Learn more about our work at www.innovatingjustice.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Brooklyn Justice Initiatives offers people an opportunity to change the direction of their lives. The program transforms how people navigate the legal process of criminal court in Brooklyn, NY, and helps them avoid the harmful effects of incarceration. It provides meaningful early diversion, supervised release for people awaiting trial, and alternative sentencing options.

Brooklyn Justice Initiatives is seeking a Social Worker to join its interdisciplinary team. Reporting to the Director of Diversion Services and Clinical Supervision, the Social Worker will conduct clinical assessments, provide brief interventions, and offer stabilization supports to participants engaged through same-day programming, early diversion, and Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) pathways, as well as other court-based programs operated by Brooklyn Justice Initiatives. This includes engagement with young adult and adult participants at various stages of court involvement, including both pre- and post-plea opportunities for individuals charged with misdemeanors or felonies.

The Social Worker will play a key role in engaging participants at early points of court involvement, connecting them with individualized, trauma-informed services, and fostering outcomes that promote healing, stability, and reduced future system contact. Responsibilities include conducting intakes and assessments; providing comprehensive case management; offering individual counseling and facilitating psychoeducational or therapeutic groups; and supporting participants across same-day, early diversion, and ATI programming. The Social Worker will monitor participant engagement, send court date reminders, promote compliance with court conditions when applicable, submit progress and compliance updates to the court, and provide voluntary referrals and ongoing support beyond the initial mandate when appropriate.

This position requires strong clinical judgment, flexibility in a fast-paced court environment, and the ability to build effective partnerships with legal system stakeholders and community-based providers. The Social Worker will collaborate with judges, attorneys, court personnel, and community partners to ensure coordinated and culturally responsive service delivery across programs.

Clinical Engagement, Case Management, and Participant Support:

• Conduct intakes, psychosocial and clinical assessments, and needs evaluations for eligible participants at or immediately following court appearances, including those entering same-day, early diversion, or ATI engagements;
• Provide comprehensive, trauma-informed case management to young adult and adult participants (and, when appropriate, their families), addressing mental health, substance use, trauma, housing, benefits access, employment, education/vocational goals, family dynamics, and other identified needs across same-day, early diversion, and ATI participation;
• Deliver brief clinical interventions during same-day engagements and offer continued counseling or supportive services to participants, including voluntary support beyond the court mandate when appropriate;
• Facilitate individual sessions and psychoeducational, restorative justice, or therapeutic groups, ensuring they are responsive to participant needs; and
• Escort and support participants navigating court, program offices, and community-based providers to reduce barriers to participation and ensure continuity of care.

Court Operations and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Conduct participant outreach and engagement in court and post-appearance to support compliance and ongoing participation;
• Coordinate with defense counsel, prosecutors, judges, court personnel, and community partners to ensure holistic and culturally responsive service delivery throughout the participant’s engagement;
• Provide timely completion updates, progress reports, and recommendations (verbal and written) to court stakeholders; and
• Participate in case conferences and team coverage planning to align interventions with court calendars, hearing schedules, and participant flow.

Collaboration, Community Partnerships, and Service Coordination:

• Make referrals and establish linkages with community-based organizations to support participant goals, including referrals that meet immediate needs and those that support ongoing stability;
• Conduct outreach to collateral contacts (e.g., providers, family, community partners) to promote engagement and compliance throughout the participant journey; and
• Support community partnership development and community-based outreach and engagement events.

Data, Documentation, and Reporting:

• Maintain timely, accurate case notes and records in the case management system, documenting participant engagement across same-day, early diversion, and ATI tracks;
• Track participant progress, service engagement, and referral outcomes to inform program evaluation and continuous improvement; and
• Assist with data collection and reporting that demonstrates program impact and supports data-informed practice.

Program and Team Support:

• Participate in supervision, team meetings, interdisciplinary case reviews, and professional development;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new programs, interventions, and initiatives under the guidance of program leadership and management;
• Support administrative tasks and operational needs as directed by program leadership and management;
• Attend program-related and community events, including occasional evenings or weekends, as needed; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• LMSW and a minimum of 2 years prior work in criminal justice and/or a related field required;
• Strong clinical assessment and engagement skills, including crisis intervention;
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and community-based service systems;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills;
• Ability to collaborate effectively with legal system partners and community stakeholders;
• Familiarity with case management databases, Slack, Zoom, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office; and
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required.

Position Type: Full-time.

Position Location: Brooklyn, NY.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $58,200 - $64,500 and is commensurate with experience. 

Benefits: The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our goal is to create a supportive and respectful environment where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and included.

At this time, the Center is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Candidates are expected to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the hiring process. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of material facts may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of an offer, or termination of employment, regardless of when discovered.

In compliance with federal law, all hires must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment verification form upon hire. Please refer to the job posting for relevant contact information. If contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.